Lucknow: The Allahabad High Court directed the UP government to consider appointing a committee to probe identity of Gumnami Baba alias Bhagwanji of Faizabad, who many claim was Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose.

The judgement was pronounced by the division bench of Justice Devi Prasad Singh and Justice Virendra Kumar Dixit on two separate writ petitions, including one filed by niece of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, Lalita Bose, and two others.

"The state government is directed to consider for appointment of a committee consisting of a team of experts and higher officers, headed by a retired judge of High Court, to hold an enquiry with regard to the identity of late Gumnami Baba alias Bhagwan Ji who resided in Ram Bhawan, Faizabad and cremated on September 18, 1985," the bench directed. "Let a decision be taken expeditiously, say within a period of three months," it added.

Issuing a writ in the nature of mandamus, the bench directed the state government to consider establishment of a museum at Faizabad where the articles of late Gumnami Baba as well as other ancient items may be kept scientifically under the supervision of a qualified person (curator).

It said a decision be taken by the government, keeping in view the observation made, expeditiously, say within a period of three months with regard to creation of museum at appropriate place.

Issuing a further writ in the nature of mandamus, the bench directed the state government as well as the Centre to repossess all items of Gumnami Baba taken by Mukherjee Commission and submit it to the treasury of Faizabad, which in turn, should transfer the items to the museum established at appropriate place notified by the state.

"The photographs and video recording shall be returned to the Treasury Officer, Faizabad, which shall be kept by him in sealed cover for transfer to museum," it directed.

The bench said the records of both the writ petitions which contain reports and other materials shall be kept in sealed cover and opened only on the order of the court by the registry.

"The respondents shall submit a compliance report, i.e. the decision taken in pursuance to the present judgement within four months and the registry shall list the petition after four months for perusal of the decision taken by the government," it added.

The bench directed the registry to send a copy of the present judgement to the Chief Secretary of Uttar Pradesh government for compliance within two weeks. "The writ petitions are allowed accordingly," it said.